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Sjogren's syndrome treatment

I've had Sjogren's Syndrome SS for over 6 years now and all that time I never knew essential fatty acids EFA'S would help treat many of the symptom's of Sjogren's.

EFAs have been implicated in the abnormal function of salivary and lachrymal glands. Measurements in Sjögren's syndrome patients have shown that EFA deficiencies are present (Oxholm P et al 1998), and controlled clinical trials of supplementation with EFAs, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), have yielded positive results (Horrobin DF 1984). 2012 Life Extension

So why aren't my GP and Rheumatologist and Immunologist telling me to take these essential fatty acids and what are they?
Apparently they are the Omega-3 and Omega-6 that we keep hearing about. They are found in flax oil and olive oil, dark green vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, spinach and seaweed, kidney beans and mung beans, salmon, tuna and mackerel, anchovies, sardines, cod, halibut, herring, mullet, trout, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds and brazil nuts.

I can't think of the last time I ate mung beans and I don't think I have ever eaten kale or herring, halibut or cod or mullet and I think i ate trout once when I was about 12.

I remember my grandmother telling me that everyone use to have a teaspoon of cod liver oil everyday when she was growing up. I wonder why we stopped?

Of course people with Sjögren's should consult with their doctor before taking any new tablets which may interact with their prescription medication.

8 comments:

I have found that my specialist don't really want to discuss healthy living tips that can help reduce the annoying factor of this most inconvenient disease. They just seem to want to use the big guns. Thank goodness for my GP. Apricot oil and dry mouth gel are my best friends.

So true, I have had Doctors, who have ignored my daughter's symptoms, and don't want to discuss being proactive. I had to educate her Gastro. about sjrogren's, because he says it not his specialty. I told him, it effects the stomach and intenstine, so he should know.Her stomach issues have gone into remission, with a gluten free diet.

I'm so glad to have found your blog. Too many sites I've visited about Sjogren's are full of complaints about the symptoms (and I do understand the need to vent) but not enough positive information-sharing and tips for better living with this disease. I'm a food blogger, and when I was diagnosed with Sjogren's earlier this year I retired my previous food blog and started writing a new one (What IF Gourmet - link above) dedicated to developing an anti-inflammatory eating plan that would help relieve the inflammation associated with Sjogren's. I would love for you (and anyone else managing this disease) to stop by and share any nutrition tips, constructive criticism, or recipes. Thank you!

So happy to find your blog as we all (especially me) need encouragement to keep helping ourselves. Food is a big part of it for me and I learnt this AGAIN recently when I started eating store bought bread and am in a major flare right now with so much discomfort. Can't seem to eat any grains so your site is looking so good - thinking of the chickpeas for tonight http://whatifgourmet.wordpress.com/category/anti-inflammatory-ingredients/legumes/chickpeas/ - Thanks for this great resource

Karen, what helps when I go to the specialist is to take a printed copy of the info from a medical journal or at least the reference. That's why I try to site references here. Good Luck. What the rheumy may say is "it won't hurt you to take it"Sorry to hear about the gastric paresis. What is that? Can you digest oils? You can get flaxseed oil at health food stores and just need a teaspn a day on salads. All the things I recommend here are just what has helped me and as you have pointed out everyone has diffrent conditions that need taking into account. Thanks

Who makes this blog?

Hi, thanks for dropping by. I am a female, over 40, living in Australia, who has Sjogren's Syndrome - an annoying, common but little known condition. I hope this blog is useful to you in some way and please feel free to drop me a line in comments at the end of any blog post. This site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and I have no medical training (just so we are completely clear)

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